THE GREEK COMMUNITY MOURNS THE LOSS OF ARCHBISHOP IAKOVOS

οΏ½οΏ½οΏ½ VP CHRIS TOMARAS EXPRESSES HIS CONDOLENCES

οΏ½The passing of His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos feels us with sadness and with a sense of loss for the omogenia in the U.S.οΏ½ said Chris P. Tomaras V.P. of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (οΏ½οΏ½οΏ½) and Regional Coordinator for N. & S. America in a recent interview with the International Radio Program of Athens.  

Mentioning the ArchbishopοΏ½s achievements during his 37 years of service, Mr. Tomaras stressed His EminenceοΏ½s fighting spirit for GreeceοΏ½s national concerns as well as his uncompromising position for injustice and human rights abuse. A characteristic example was his stance for the African-American people when he stood next to Martin Luther King, Jr. protesting for their rights in Selma, Alabama in 1965, a significant moment in the history of the U.S.      

Equally important was his progressive view with regards to the development of the Church with the adaptation of the English language in the liturgy for the benefit of the younger, less Greek-speaking members of the omogenia.       

οΏ½On behalf of the regional Coordinating Council, I express our condolences to His familyοΏ½, added Mr. Tomaras. 

Archbishop Iakovos was born in 1911 in Imvros as Demetrios Koukouzis, he was ordained Deacon with the name Iakovos in 1934, as a priest in 1940 and in 1959 he was named Archbishop of N. & S. America.  He served in this position until 1996.  His body will lie in state at the Archdiocesan Holy Trinity Cathedral (319 E. 79th St., New York), on Tuesday, April 12 6:00 p.m. οΏ½ 10:00 p.m. and on Wednesday, April 13 10:00 a.m. οΏ½ 10:00 p.m.  A Pre-sanctified service will be held on Thursday 8:30 a.m. with the funeral to follow at 11:00 a.m.